A blood sugar monitor, vitamins and other items used for managing diabetes are shown. Michigan State University Extension is now offering the National Diabetes Prevention Program online via Zoom, with the program starting Jan. 4. (Pixabay stock photo)

MARQUETTE — Have you gained weight during the pandemic? Have you ever been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or encouraged to lose weight due to diabetes within your family history? Michigan State University Extension has received full program recognition from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is now offering the National Diabetes Prevention Program online via Zoom.

This course is designed for people who are at-risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The focus is on establishing lifestyle changes that promote healthy eating, physical activity and goal setting that lead to a 5-7% weight loss and decreased risk for type 2 diabetes.

To be eligible, participants should:

≤ Be at least 18 years old and

≤ Be overweight (Body Mass Index equal to or greater than 25; equal to or greater than 23 if Asian)

≤ Not be pregnant

≤ Have no previous diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes

≤ Have a blood test result in the pre-diabetes range within the past year or have a previous clinical diagnosis of gestational diabetes

A mandatory program orientation meeting will be held from 2 – 3 p.m. Jan. 4 that will provide detailed information about the program. The series will start the following with a session 2 – 3 p.m. Jan. 11.

Online registration is required at https://events.anr.msu.edu/UPNDPP1421/.

Registered participants will receive an email before the orientation that will provide the Zoom information and course materials.

Participants will work with Life Style Coach and MSU Extension Health Educator Tracie Abram and another MSU Extension Health Educator and Lifestyle Coach.

This evidence-based program requires at least eight participants and no more than fifteen that are willing to meet for 23 sessions over 23 hours within a year. See the full schedule below. Make-up sessions are provided with in that same week if participants miss a session. If anyone needs help downloading Zoom and using it, or has questions about the series, contact Abram prior to the orientation on Jan. 4

Dates of the 23 series

sessions and topics are:

1: Jan. 4 – Welcome to the National Diabetes Prevention Program

2: Jan. 11 – Be a Fat and Calorie Detective

3: Jan. 18 – Three Ways to Eat Less Fat and Fewer Calories

4: Jan. 25 – Healthy Eating

5: Feb. 1 – Move Those Muscles

6: Feb. 8 – Being Active – A Way of Life

7: Feb.15- Tip the Calorie Balance

8: Feb. 22- Take Charge of What’s Around You

9: March 1- Problem Solving

10: March 15- Four Keys to Healthy Eating Out

11: March 29 – Talk Back to Negative Thoughts

12: April 12 – The Slippery Slope of Lifestyle Change

13: April 26- Jump Start Your Activity Plan

14: May 10- Make Social Cues Work for You

15: May 24- 2020- You Can Manage Stress

16: June 7 – Ways to Stay Motivated

17: July 5- Welcome to Months 7-12

18: Aug. 9 – Topic TBD

19: Sept. 6- Topic TBD

20: Oct. 4 – Topic TBD

21: Nov. 1- Topic TBD

22: Dec. 6- Topic TBD

23: Jan. 3, 2022 – Final Session – Looking Back and Looking Forward